Electric Range Wire Size — NEC 220.55 & 422.10 Guide

The standard residential range circuit uses #6 AWG copper, a 50A double-pole breaker, and a NEMA 14-50 outlet (4-wire). This guide covers range circuit sizing, the NEC 220.55 demand factor, wall oven and cooktop considerations, and how to verify voltage drop for longer kitchen-to-panel runs.

Electric Range Circuit — Quick Reference

Wire Size (copper)#6 AWG — 65A rated at 75°C
Wire Size (aluminum)#4 AWG — 65A rated at 75°C
Breaker Size50A double-pole
Outlet Type (new install)NEMA 14-50 (4-wire, 240V)
Voltage240V single-phase
NEC SourceTable 310.15(B)(16), NEC 422.10, 220.55
Verify Wire Size & Voltage Drop →

Standard Range Wiring Overview

Most freestanding electric ranges are rated 10–14 kW at 240V. However, not all burners and the oven run simultaneously at full power. The NEC 422.10 requirement for a 50A circuit is based on this typical usage pattern. #6 AWG copper (65A rated at 75°C) provides a 15A safety margin over the 50A breaker, which is the correct design.

The supply circuit must include a 50A double-pole breaker and a NEMA 14-50 outlet within reach of the appliance cord (typically 4–5 feet). The outlet must be 4-wire per NEC 250.140 for all new range installations.

NEC 220.55 — Demand Factor for Ranges

NEC 220.55 and Table 220.55 are used in service and feeder load calculations to account for the fact that not all burners and heating elements run at full capacity simultaneously. For a single household range over 12 kW, the demand calculation uses a percentage from Table 220.55 rather than the full nameplate wattage, which typically reduces the calculated load compared to the nameplate.

This demand factor is used to size the feeder and service entrance, not the individual branch circuit. The branch circuit for a single range should still be sized at 50A (#6 AWG copper) per NEC 422.10 regardless of the demand factor.

Wall Oven and Separate Cooktop

If you have a built-in wall oven and a separate cooktop (rather than a freestanding range), each appliance typically requires its own dedicated circuit. Check each appliance nameplate for the circuit amperage requirement. For load calculation purposes, NEC Table 220.55 Column C also permits combining a wall oven and cooktop as a single "range" demand load when they are in the same room and supplied from the same panel.

Related Tools & Guides

50-amp wire size guide — range, hot tub, and EV charger circuits Wire size calculator — verify for your range circuit length Electric dryer wire size guide — 30A circuits Circuit breaker size calculator NEC ampacity chart — Table 310.15(B)(16)

Frequently Asked Questions

#6 AWG copper (65A at 75°C) or #4 AWG aluminum (65A at 75°C) with a 50A double-pole breaker and NEMA 14-50 outlet. Per NEC Table 310.15(B)(16) and NEC 422.10.

A 50A double-pole breaker for standard residential ranges per NEC 422.10. Always check the appliance nameplate — some models specify different requirements.

NEC Table 220.55 provides demand factors for service/feeder calculations. For a single range over 12 kW, the demand load is calculated at a percentage of nameplate wattage. This does not change the branch circuit requirement, which remains 50A per NEC 422.10.

No. #8 AWG copper (50A at 75°C) exactly matches the breaker with no ampacity margin, and it is not the standard for 50A range circuits. Use #6 AWG copper (65A rated) as the minimum.

New installs: NEMA 14-50 (4-wire: two hots, neutral, ground). Older NEMA 10-50 (3-wire) outlets may remain as grandfathered installs but cannot be installed new per NEC 250.140.

A freestanding range uses one 50A circuit. A separate built-in wall oven and cooktop typically each require their own dedicated circuit, though NEC 220.55 permits combining them as a single demand load in feeder calculations when in the same room.